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Feb 27, 2011

BIODIESEL * Canada - Now a Reality in Canada

Ontario,Canada -Driving Today, by Jack Nerad -February 25, 2011: -- As you may guess, the new Canadian regulations that mandate the nationwide use of 2-percent biodiesel fuels were applauded by industry groups like the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), which called the decision “good news for consumers, farmers and energy diversity in Canada” ...  But the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is not nearly as positive about the new regs. In fact, it challenged government claims that its members stand to reduce their carbon footprint in any significant manner through the biodiesel mandate"...   According to CTA, there is strong evidence -- including a 2009 study done by EcoRessources Consultants (ERC) for Environment Canada -- that shows the environmental impact of a biodiesel mandate in terms of greenhouse gas reduction is negligible, and the benefits of that reduction are outweighed by the costs. According to ERC, the total incremental cost to society of the proposed biodiesel regulation for on-road use would be $4.5 billion between 2011 and 2035, whereas the benefits -- in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions -- are valued at only a tad over $860 million...

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Dec 17, 2009

BIODIESEL * Norway - To scrap bio-diesel exemption

Oslo,Norway -HGV UK -December 16, 2009: -- Norway is planning to scrap a tax exemption for bio-diesel, joining a growing number of countries taking the view that users of bi-fuels should pay for them instead of taxpayers, pane European lobby group, Transport & Environment has reported... The Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, supports removing the exemption, which attracted opposition from MPs and some NGOs in Norway. He said bio-fuels have some impact, and motorists using public roads should contribute to their maintenance... The legislation that removes the exemption for tax breaks is imposing a bio-fuels sales obligation that requires 2.5 per cent of all transport fuels to be from biomass in 2009 through blended fuels... These blended fuels will still be completely exempted from the country’s carbon dioxide tax, even though doubts remain over bio-diesel’s CO2 impacts compared with oil-based fuels, according to T&E... (Photo from alternative-energy: biofuel conversion)

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Oct 13, 2009

BIODIESEL FUEL * USA - Feds examine usage

For the environment, many experts believe that increased biofuels production could impair water quality, reduce water availability, degrade air and soil quality, and hurt wildlife habitat

Washington,DC,USA -eTrucker, by Jill Dunn -10 Oct 2009: -- A federal report suggests Congress should consider requiring a strategy to measure all stages of biodiesel production and if a tax credit should be revised... The investigative arm of Congress, the General Accountability Office, recently released a biodiesel report. In 2007, Congress expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard, requiring increasing use of ethanol and other biofuels, from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons in 2022... The GAO indicated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should develop a strategy to assess lifecycle (cultivation, harvest, transport, conversion, storage, and use) environmental effects of increased biofuels production... The agency reported that many experts said biofuels production has contributed to increases in crop prices, livestock and poultry feed and, to a lesser extent, food. This trend may continue as the RFS expands... For the environment, many experts believe that increased biofuels production could impair water quality, reduce water availability, degrade air and soil quality, and hurt wildlife habitat. But the extent of these effects is uncertain and could be mitigated... (Photo from federalsustainability: Baca Pump)

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Sep 15, 2009

BIODIESEL * Canada - Manitoba truckers brace for flawed biodiesel rule

If truckers have to fill up with biodiesel, they should at least know the blend they're pumping into their tanks, argues MTA.

Winnipeg,MAN,Canada -Today's Trucking -14 Sept 2009: -- In just a few weeks Manitoba will become the first province in Canada to mandate biodiesel. And, not surprisingly, the region's truckers are none too happy... All diesel fuel sold in the province as of Nov. 1 must contain a B2 average (2 percent biodiesel), Energy Minister, Jim Rondeau, recently announced... Higher blends of biodiesel are known to cause gelling and start-up issues in older engines operating in colder climates, like say, most of Manitoba throughout much of the year... At the very least, retail fuel pumps should be properly labeled to reveal the volume of the biodiesel being sold, says Bob Dolyniuk, general manager of the Manitoba Trucking Association. But, so far, there's been no indication that the government will implement any labeling requirements...

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Jul 13, 2009

Biodiesel Fuel * EU - Imposes Tariffs on U.S. one

Blames Low Prices Caused by Subsidies

Brussels, Belgium -Transport Topics (USA), by Frederick Kiel -July 13, 2009: -- The European Union last week imposed tariffs on biodiesel imported from the United States to counter low prices it said were caused by subsidies, but a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative denied subsidies were the main reason for the growth of U.S. sales in Europe and that the United States would review the tariffs “closely”... The EU decided July 7 to impose tariffs of as high as $333 a metric ton for five years to counter what it said was a surge of subsidized imports that injured European producers... A spokeswoman for the Office of the United States Trade Representative agreed that U.S. law gives subsidies whether biodiesel is used domestically or exported, but she denied that subsidies were a prime factor in the growth of U.S. exports to Europe...

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May 14, 2009

Biodiesel * USA - Evolution Fuels Forms Truck Stop, C-store Subsidiaries

Dallas,TX,USA -Convenience Store News -May 14, 2009: ... Evolution Fuels Inc. formed two new wholly owned subsidiaries—Legends Travel Centers and Evolution Fuel Plazas—to raise market awareness of renewable fuels... Its multi-pronged strategy includes building grassroots awareness of the availability of renewable fuels through the creation of renewable fuel depots, similar to its partly owned Willie's Place Truck Stop in the Hillsboro, Texas, market, named after singing legend Willie Nelson... Evolution Fuels' second subsidiary, Evolution Fuel Plazas, will offer urban and suburban fuel station/convenience store facilities that will sell ethanol fuel blends of 15 percent up to 85 percent, and other motor fuels to passenger vehicle drivers... The company will pursue potential partners for the acquisition and construction of truck stop facilities... Evolution Fuels has a biodiesel production facility in Durant, Okla...

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Mar 27, 2009

BIODIESEL WORLDWIDE * Australia - ABG wins $7.7m contract

Narangba,Australia -ATN -26 March 2009: -- Australian Biodiesel Group (ABG) of Narangba has signed its first contract for renewable energy and related infrastructure products in North America... PW Strategy Management (PWM) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has executed a two-year contract for renewable energy and related uninterruptable power supply (UPS) products for three locations in North America... The fiscal 2009 contract revenue is $3.757 million. Estimated fiscal 2010 revenue is $3.95 million... The contract between PWM and ABG calls for installation of Solverdi technology sold and operated by ABG under an exclusive worldwide licence. Revenues from the project installation and agreement begin in April of this year...


* UK - Truck-makers question effects of biodiesel

London,UK -The Road Transport, by Chris Tindall -19 March 2009: -- For 12 months now biodiesel has been added to diesel fuel. But manufacturers are questioning its effect on truck engines, and whether planned increases will compound operators' problems... Truck-makers are demanding that legislation surrounding the quality of diesel used by operators is tightened up as concern grows about the effect on engines by biodiesel in conventional fuel... The Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of engineering policy, Andy Mair, says: runs several regional engineering forums, and he says half the group has experienced no problems with diesel. But he adds: "The other operators are having to change filters at half the interval."... The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that "undoubtedly" 5% biodiesel content can have an adverse effect on engines under some circumstances. Robin Dickeson, CV affairs manager says: "It's inherently an organic substance based on living processes. These can and do degenerate over time. The composition changes in storage. A tank in January may have a slightly different composition come June or July. Water separates and sludge appears. We don't have effective quality testing standards in the UK for biodiesel and that's an issue."...

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Mar 21, 2009

BIODIESEL * USA - backers push mandate to 'save industry'

Des Moines,IA,USA -The Des Moines Register, by DAN PILLER -March 20, 2009: -- With at least four biodiesel plants in Iowa idle because of poor market conditions, advocates in the Iowa Legislature have proposed Iowa's first biofuels mandate that would require all diesel fuel sold in Iowa to be a biodiesel blend beginning July 1... The mandate would replace the state's 3-cent-per-gallon state income tax deduction for retailers for whom biodiesel accounts for at least 50 percent of their fuel sales... (Photo by JOHN GAPS III/REGISTER - Will Fowler of Brownfield, Texas, fuels his truck at the Pilot Truck Stop along Douglas Avenue in Urbandale on Monday. When asked about Iowa's proposed mandate for biodiesel fuel, Fowler said: “I understand what they're doing, but I hear it takes as much fuel to produce a field of soybeans as the biodiesel it produces.” The proposed mandate is now being considered by the Iowa Legislature)

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Aug 13, 2008

ALTERNATIVE FUEL * USA - More truck stops carrying biodiesel

The National Biodiesel Foundation announced 80 new truck stops have been added to the BioTrucker Fuel Card network for a total of 229

Akron,OH,USA -Fleet Equipment Magazine -13 Aug 2008: -- ... All 80 carry biodiesel in various blends and accept the fuel card, the group said. As of now, a total of 800 truck accessible stops that carry biodiesel are listed and mapped on www.biotrucker.com... In addition, three more truck stops are offering a $.02 per gallon discount at the pump for biodiesel. Red Rooster (Olney, Ill.), Donerail Travel Center (Lexington, Ky). and Stockmen’s Truck Stop (Saint Paul, Minn.) join Sapp Bros. Travel Centers (Peru, Ill.), Waddy Unocal 76 (Waddy, Ky.) and Drivers Truck Stop (Ft. Worth, Texas) to offer the discount. BioTrucker Fuel Card holders also have no transaction fee on biodiesel in this current environment of record high fuel prices... The BioTrucker Fuel Card, introduced in March, highlights the availability of biodiesel with a network of truck stops that carry biodiesel. Truckers and fleets pay cash price on all fuel and no fuel transaction fee for biodiesel at in-network truck stops. It gives trucking companies and owner-operators an easy way to pay for fuel; access cash advances, and pay for repairs and other expenses while on the road. Cardholders pay the cash price for all fuel, instead of a credit price. Discounts on mapping software, repairs and tires as well as roadside assistance are also available through the card... In addition to the in-network truck stops, the card is accepted at 5,000-plus truck accessible retail stations across the U.S...

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Jul 11, 2008

Biodiesel * USA - California: the danger of DIY

State laws create pitfalls for enterprising biodiesel users

Sacramento,CA,USA -The Sacramento News & Review, by Meredith J. Cooper -10 July 2008: -- Converting your car or truck to run on biodiesel instead of petroleum cuts emissions and minimizes our reliance on oil. Plus, it’s supposed to be cheap. Picking up used grease at local restaurants, running it through a machine and making your own fuel can’t cost nearly as much as the $4.50 or so gas stations are now charging per gallon. Or so you’d think... It’s difficult because the state makes biodiesel do-it-your-selfers jump through all sorts of hoops before their grease burners are deemed street-legal... For example, to recycle used cooking oil from a neighborhood restaurant, you are expected to get a grease-hauling license from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Then you need to get registered as a “fuel supplier” through the state Board of Equalization, so the state can tax you for every gallon of biodiesel you make, buy or “borrow”... Just registering as a grease hauler costs $100. Then the California Department of Food and Agriculture, specifically the Meat and Poultry Inspection Branch, charges $300 per vehicle. Before you even apply, though, you must be insured on that vehicle for at least $1 million in liability in case of a spill. Not surprisingly, there are only 14 registered grease haulers in Sacramento County... There is hope on the horizon for the DIY biodiesel folks, though. A bill going through the state Assembly (Assembly Bill 2240) would make biodiesel exempt from the diesel road tax. Another piece of legislation, an amendment to the Food and Agricultural Code (Assembly Bill 1846), would waive the $300 per-vehicle hauling registration charge for individuals carrying not more than 50 gallons of used kitchen grease for their own use... (Photo by DOMINICK PORRAS - Dave Vennel at Black Rock Auto pumps a VW full of biodiesel. Black Rock is one of the biodiesel supply sites for the Sacramento Biofuels Network)

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Jun 27, 2008

BIODIESEL * Canada - ASTM approves new blend spec's

Vancouver,BC,Canada -Truck News, by Adam Ledlow -25 June 2008: -- The biodiesel industry is celebrating following the recent vote by the ASTM International D02 Main Committee to approve a trio of long-awaited specifications for biodiesel blends. After more than five years of extensive research and subsequent balloting by the ASTM fuel experts in the blended fuel balloting process, ASTM has finally voted to approve three key sets of biodiesel specifications that industry insiders say should significantly bolster manufacturer support and consumer demand for biodiesel: ... The approval of ASTM specifications for inclusion of up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the regular diesel fuel pool also means that biodiesel could soon become more readily available at retail fuelling stations nationwide...

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Jan 10, 2008

BIODIESEL NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* USA - To benefit from New Delhi link
Seymour, IN,USA -Fleet Owner, by Wendy Leavitt -Jan 9, 2008: -- Benefuel, Inc., a Chicago-based biodiesel refining and distribution firm, has unveiled an exclusive worldwide manufacturing agreement with catalyst manufacturer Sud-Chemie India Pvt. Ltd. (SCIL) of New Delhi, India (a joint venture of Munich, Germany-based Sud-Chemie AG)... Under the terms of the manufacturing and supply agreement, the India-based supplier will manufacture the proprietary catalysts for Benefuel's biodiesel production facilities around the world, including an industrial-scale biodiesel refinery to be located in Seymour, IN. Production of the Indiana plant is scheduled to begin in early 2008...


* Germany - Daimler, ADM, Bayer to test Jatropha for biodiesel
Stuttgart,Germany -Peak Oil -10 Jan 2008: -- Carmaker Daimler AG has teamed up with Archer Daniels Midland and Bayer CropScience to explore tropical plant Jatropha as a biodiesel fuel, Daimler said... Daimler has already completed a five-year project which demonstrated that Jatropha can be used to make biodiesel. It will continue to explore the interactions between the fuel and engines...

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Dec 20, 2007

BIODIESEL * USA - Pennsylvania Senate OKs, bills

PEN,USA -Land Line Magazine, by Keith Goble -December 19, 2007: -- Two bills halfway through the Pennsylvania statehouse are intended to boost the state’s use of biofuels through production subsidies and content requirements... As part of a special session that included efforts to promote alternative fuel efforts, Senators voted to advance the bills to the House for further consideration. The content requirement legislation would require biodiesel to be added to each gallon of diesel sold in the state in increasing amounts as in-state production of biodiesel reaches certain thresholds...

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Dec 4, 2007

BIODIESEL * USA - Association says biodiesel performing well in cold weather

The National Biodiesel Board says it has received evidence that biodiesel is performing well in extremely cold conditions

North Conway,NH,USA -Truck News (CAN) -4 Dec 2007: -- ... New Hampshire's Cranmore Mountain Resort has been operating a fleet of biodiesel-fueled vehicles in temperatures at about –20 F without incident, the organization contends... "Cranmore Mountain is one of many examples demonstrating that it is a myth that you can't use B20 in cold weather," added Joe Jobe, CEO of NBB... To prevent gelling, biodiesel users should be sure to purchase fuel that meets the national standard ASTM D 6751, according to Richard Nelson, director of engineering extension for Kansas State University's College of Engineering... Fuel management could include: blending biodiesel with kerosene; blending with diesel that's been treated with a cold weather additive; using block and filter heaters; storing vehicles indoors...

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Nov 15, 2007

Biodiesel Producers* USA - EPA Issues Warning to

Says Poor Quality Fuel Could Bring Fines

Washington,DC,USA -Transport Topics News, by Sean M. McNally -12 Nov 2007: -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued a warning to biodiesel producers they could face fines of up to $32,500 a day if their product does not meet quality standards... In a guidance document sent to producers and blenders last late month, EPA said it plans to increase enforcement to ensure that biodiesel producers are complying with quality and technical standards set by ASTM International... For example, the ASTM standards set the flash point for biodiesel at 199.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and limits glycerin content to 0.24% of the total volume... Jenna Higgins, a spokeswoman for the National Biodiesel Board, said the industry group worked with EPA on the guidance document, which was part of a larger industry outreach program to raise awareness about biodiesel quality... (Photo by Bruce Harmon/Trans Pix)

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Aug 18, 2007

BUSINESS * Argentine - Integrated Biodiesel Industries agree with producer Diferal S.A.

Integrated Biodiesel Industries, Ltd (IBI) has entered into an agreement with Argentinean biodiesel producer Diferal S.A. to buy a minority equity stake in the company and market the total output of its plant

Sao Paulo,Brazil -BioFuels Journal (Decatur, IL) -Aug 17 2007: -- ... Diferal has built a 32 million liter / year (8.5 million gallons) plant in the city of Rosario. The plant will commence operations in early September... Argentina is the world's third largest soybean producer and Rosario's port is the country's main grain exporter... The Rosario plant's total output is currently 2,100 metric tons per month, with plans to increase to 3,100 metric tons in the near future with a small additional investment... Revenues for 2008 are expected to reach US$ 60 million... Of special interest is Diferal's development in the value-added aviation fuel market. The company has successfully field-tested a mixture of aviation fuels and biodiesel named Biojet, which is currently undergoing further studies... (Photo by Natural Resources Conservation Services, USDA)

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Jun 23, 2007

BIODIESEL * USA - Two Million Mile Haul surpasses 500,000 miles

An endurance test for diesel engines using B20 reached a milestone in April

Grand Forks,ND,USA -Biodiesel Magazine -23 June 2007: -- ... The Two Million Mile Haul logged its 500,000th mile while gathering performance data in order to compare the biodiesel blend with petroleum diesel... According to Iowa Central Community College, one of several partners in the study, there haven’t been any significant differences in mileage or cold flow problems so far between the trucks using B20 and the control vehicles... The test involves 10 long-haul trucks using B20 and 10 trucks using No. 2 diesel. The trucks are owned and operated by Decker Truck Line Inc....

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Jun 11, 2007

BIODIESEL * UK - More on the BioDiesel Lie

BioDiesel is a scam.

UK -RoadTransport -8 June 2007: -- In fact, we'd go further. Promoting a fuel source that costs more energy than it provides is, in the current energy environment, abhorrently negligent. Promoting that same fuel source as environmentally positive moves this negligence firmly into the criminal category... BioDiesel costs more in terms of energy than does regular diesel. It is touted as being a better fuel because it does not emit as much Carbon Dioxide. But, it comes from the same plants that people eat. That pushes up food costs, and so the moral implications - namely do we in the West take food out of the mouths of people who are hungry in order to satiate our need for conscience-free travel - are immediately plain to see...

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May 25, 2007

Two Million Mile Haul * USA - B20 vs. Diesel in

Santa Fe,NM,USA -CleanAIR Systems -24 May 2007: -- The Two Million Mile Haul is the first major study in a real-world setting comparing the performance of B20 biodiesel (a mixture of 20% soy biodiesel and 80% diesel) with diesel on long haul trucks on an over-the-road test covering 2 million miles... To date the test has completed 350,000 miles of its goal with favorable results and only minor issues... Final conclusions and assessments concerning mileage and fuel efficiency will not be available until the 2 million mile mark has been reach...

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Apr 23, 2007

Biodiesel

* Canada - Big biofuel plant planned in
Innisfail,Alberta,Canada -Land Line Magazine (Grain Valley,MO,USA) -April 20, 2007: -- A small town in Alberta, Canada, will soon be home to what’s being called the “world’s largest” biofuel refinery... According to media reports, the 300-million-gallon-a-year plant will be built in Innisfail, which is located about 70 miles north of Calgary on Highway 2... The partners in the project – Riverstone Holdings, the Carlyle Group and Dominion Energy – plan to break ground next year. Once it’s up and running, the plant will produce both bio-diesel and ethanol, as well as crushed canola...

* USA - Conoco, Tyson to partner on biodiesel
NY,USA -Land Line Magazine/ The Wall Street Journal -April 20, 2007: -- Conoco-Phillips and Tyson Foods have announced plans to team up to make biodiesel fuel out of animal fat... Tyson produces about 300 million gallons of beef, pork and chicken fat each year. Once production of the animal fat diesel begins, the company plans to ship about 60 percent of its fat to a Conoco-Phillips plant for processing. The remaining 40 percent will be used in cosmetics, soap and pet food, as it is now... If the companies win EPA approval, they hope to be pumping out 175 million gallons of animal fat biodiesel a year...

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